KPOP
Two hours and 15 minutes, with one intermission
KPOP - 2022 Broadway History , Info & More
Circle in the Square (Broadway)
1633 Broadway at 50th St. New York, NY
Claim your backstage pass and dive inside the high-stakes world of K-pop with this exhilarating new Broadway-bound musical. As global superstars put everything on the line for a special one-night-only concert, one singer's inner struggle threatens to dismantle one of the hottest labels in K-pop. Pulsing with infectious beats, electrifying choreography, and breathtaking joy, KPOP, the Broadway Musical, is an all-consuming multimedia experience that explores the relentless discipline, raw talent, and commercial ambition behind the heart-thumping international phenomenon.
KPOP - 2022 - Broadway Cast
PREVIEW KPOP - 2022 - Broadway
Photos
Videos
FEATURED REVIEWS FOR KPOP
KPOP: THE MUSICAL ABOUT THE KOREAN POP MUSIC PHENOMENON DOESN’T TRANSLATE WELL TO BROADWAY.
7 / 10
The 2017 Off-Broadway incarnation of the new musical KPOP opened at a venue just a few blocks away from its current Broadway home at the Circle in the Square. But despite the short distance, much of the show’s impact has been lost along the way. The original production was immersive, with segments of the audience moving from one location to another to witness the aching workloads and personal conflicts of young Korean performers to achieve stardom under the guidance of an ambitious record label. That aspect has been necessarily and understandably lost in the show’s transition to a traditional Broadway theater, albeit the only one featuring in-the-round seating. Unfortunately, much of what made the earlier production interesting has been discarded as well, resulting in a more sanitized, less thematically interesting experience that mainly relies on the propulsive energy of its many musical numbers to fuel the evening. The end result provides a reasonably enjoyable facsimile of K-Pop music, but it’s certainly not the same KPOP.
KPOP
6 / 10
For this reason–and I can't believe I am writing this–I would have preferred a K-pop revue without the strained narratives. In the concert numbers, the performers are electrifying, and they elicit earned shrieks, squeals, and thunderous applause from the notably young and Asian audience members. Helen Park's and Max Vernon's songs are silly confections that thankfully are accompanied by loud electronic music, so you don't end up with an ear worm consisting of a lyric like, 'This is my Korea/ This is my story-a/ A new category-a/ To make you dance and clap your hands.' Wearing Clint Ramos and Sophia Choi's appropriately gaudy, garish, and fabulous costumes, which include glittering bodysuits, playful dominatrix attire, faux military uniforms, MwE, RTMIS, and F8 put on a sensational show, particularly in the 15-minute finale. Jennifer Weber's thrilling choreography incorporates all the shakes, pops and thrusts one associates with the genre. KPOP will not go down in the Broadway annals as a groundbreaking, or even a very good, musical. But when the company sings the final song, 'Blast Off,' you may realize that you're having too much fun to notice–or care.
Category
by Nicole Rosky - March 15, 2023
The Original Broadway Cast Recording of KPOP is coming soon! Check out the full track list for the upcoming release.
by A.A. Cristi - February 22, 2023
KPOP stans will have to wait a little longer to hear the show's hotly anticipated cast recording.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - December 9, 2022
The theater community will gather to celebrate and uplift everyone in the Broadway community especially KPOP Broadway!
by Nicole Rosky - December 11, 2022
The Broadway run of KPOP sadly comes to a conclusion on December 11 at Circle in the Square Theatre.
by A.A. Cristi - December 6, 2022
The New York Times has released a statement in response to the criticism of Jesse Green's review of the new Broadway musical, KPOP.
by Nicole Rosky - December 6, 2022
The producers of KPOP announced that the groundbreaking new musical will have its final Broadway performance on Sunday, December 11 at Circle in the Square Theatre.
by Blair Ingenthron - December 3, 2022
In response to Jesse Green's review of KPOP from the New York Times, the producers of KPOP have issued a response letter, requesting that Green 'issue an apology to the cast and creators of [KPOP] for the insensitive and, frankly, offensive review.'
by Stephi Wild - December 1, 2022
Members of the cast of KPOP the Musical are speaking out about remarks made by New York Times critic Jesse Green in his review of the musical.
by Stephi Wild - December 1, 2022
The Original Broadway Cast Recording of KPOP The Musical will be released on February 24, 2023. Available for preorder now, the album is produced by Harvey Mason jr. and features music, lyrics, music production and arrangements by Helen Park and music and lyrics by Max Vernon.
by Blair Ingenthron - November 27, 2022
Critics have weighed in on KPOP, starring K-pop superstar Luna as MwE, directed by Teddy Bergman, with a book by Jason Kim, and music and lyrics by Max Vernon. KPOP officially opened on Sunday, November 27th at the Circle in the Square Theatre.
by Opening Night - November 22, 2022
KPOP officially celebrates its opening night on November 27, but the party came early Sunday night at the Circle in the Square Theatre. BroadwayWorld was there to celebrate with the cast and you can watch as we check in with the company in this video.
by Jude Cartalaba - November 22, 2022
'You have to want it more than anything. You have to be willing to WORK for it. Sacrifice for it. It’s not as glamorous as it seems. That’s why the passion needs to be for the work, not the fame,' those were striking words of Julia Abueva, one of the stars of the Broadway musical KPOP, inspired by a global phenomenon.
by Jennifer Broski - November 21, 2022
KPOP officially celebrates its opening night on November 27, but the party came early last night at the Circle in the Square Theatre. BroadwayWorld was there to celebrate and you can check out photos from the starry red carpet arrivals here!
by Jennifer Broski - November 21, 2022
KPOP officially celebrates its opening on November 27, but the party came early last night at the Circle in the Square Theatre. BroadwayWorld was there to celebrate with the cast and you can check out photos from their red carpet appearance below!
by Jennifer Broski - November 21, 2022
Last night, history was made on Broadway as the musical sensation KPOP marked their opening celebration, ahead of the show’s official opening night on November 27. BroadwayWorld was there for the big night and you can check out photos from the curtain call here!
by Red Carpet - November 20, 2022
KPOP, the new Broadway musical, celebrates its opening tonight, November 20. KPOP is the first completely original musical on Broadway this year. Tune in at 5:15pm ET to watch as we take you to the red carpet. Be sure to check back on Sunday, November 27, as the show offically opens and the critics share their reactions.
by Show Highlights - November 18, 2022
Watch a first-look video montage of KPOP, the new Broadway musical, in advance of their Opening Celebration this Sunday, November 20. KPOP is the first completely original musical on Broadway this year.
by Stephi Wild - November 17, 2022
KPOP the Musical has delayed its official opening night to November 27. The production was supposed to open on November 20, but has delayed due to a principal member of cast testing positive for COVID-19.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - November 15, 2022
Due to COVID cases within the company, this evening's performance of KPOP, November 15, has been canceled.
by Show Highlights - November 10, 2022
KPOP, starring K-pop super star Luna, will open on Broadway at Circle in the Square Theatre on Sunday, November 20, 2022. KPOP, directed by Teddy Bergman, features a book by Jason Kim; choreography by Jennifer Weber; music, lyrics, music production and arrangements by Helen Park; and music and lyrics by Max Vernon. Get a first look at photos here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - November 8, 2022
The matinee performance of KPOP at 2pm on Wednesday, November 9, has been canceled.
by A.A. Cristi - October 24, 2022
The Broadway creatives behind KPOP the Musical are sitting down with The Korea Society to discuss the musical's Broadway debut. See their conversation here. See the video!
by Michael Major - October 18, 2022
Watch a video of the Broadway cast of KPOP The Musical performing 'This Is My Korea' on Good Morning America. KPOP features Luna, in the starring role of MwE, along with Julia Abueva, BoHyung, Major Curda, Jinwoo Jung, Jiho Kang, Amy Keum, James Kho, Marina Kondo, Eddy Lee, Joshua Lee, Jully Lee, Lina Rose Lee, Timothy H. Lee, and more.
by Michael Major - October 17, 2022
KPOP features Luna, in the starring role of MwE, along with Julia Abueva, BoHyung, Major Curda, Jinwoo Jung, Jiho Kang, Amy Keum, James Kho, Marina Kondo, Eddy Lee, Joshua Lee, Jully Lee, Lina Rose Lee, Timothy H. Lee, Abraham Lim, Min, Kate Mina Lin, Aubie Merrylees, Patrick Park, Zachary Noah Piser, Kevin Woo, and John Yi.
KPOP History
Other Productions of KPOP
| 2022 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
KPOP - 2022 Broadway Awards and Nominations
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Choreography | Jennifer Weber |
| 2023 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Costume Design of a Musical | Clint Ramos |
| 2023 | Tony Awards | Best Choreography | Jennifer Weber |
| 2023 | Tony Awards | Best Costume Design of a Musical | Clint Ramos |
| 2023 | Tony Awards | Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre | Helen Park |
Videos